February 2017

Agenda

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 18 January 2017

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Join Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation for HOPE Spokane, an educational symposium for people living with Parkinson’s, family, friends and care partners in the Parkinson’s community. This conference will offer the latest information on Parkinson’s and a resource fair.

Join an educational and inspirational program for women living with Parkinson’s. This programme will cover topics relevant to women’s lives including sexuality and intimacy. The keynote speaker will be Dr Beth Leedman, sex therapist.

Mental Health Europe is holding an event in the European Parliament on mental health and active ageing. Discussions will focus on the lifespan approach to mental health and the importance of active ageing to ensure positive mental health at all ages.

The Millbrook fire department has donated their space to host a dinner dance. The dinner begins at 6pm for an Italian meal with a vegetarian option and the dancing will go on all night. All proceeds will benefit the Michael J Fox Foundation.

Join the annual AnachroCon and celebrate the 60s through the ages – 1960s, 1860s, 1760s etc. – by dressing up in an elaborate costumes. Raise money for local Parkinson’s causes by entering the silent auction.

Parkinson’s carers are invited to a day of education, socialising and relaxation. Guest speakers will share experiences and every day strategies for coping with the complexities that arise as a result of Parkinson’s disease. Lunch and light refreshments will be provided.

A screening of a documentary that follows the journey of father of the bride, as he progresses through Parkinson’s speech therapy to deliver a speech at his daughter’s wedding. The event will take place from 6–8pm and will include a short drinks reception. There will also be goodie bags for all who attend.

The European Patients’ Forum (EPF) holds a policy meeting on how to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goal of Universal Health Coverage for all by 2030. The meeting is co-chaired by MEP Kateřina Konečná (GUE/NGL, Czech Republic) and MEP Andrei Kovatchev (EPP, Bulgaria).

A conference discussing the challenge of chronic diseases. Speakers will address questions such what can be done to achieve a chronic disease-free Europe, and the role of policy makers in addressing the challenge of chronic diseases and ageing society.

IN THE NEWS

Carefully selected news stories from the international Parkinson's community.

3 weeks ago

Excess calcium in brain could cause Parkinson’s

Researchers at the University of Cambridge, UK, have discovered that excess levels of calcium in brain cells may lead to the formation of the toxic clusters that signify Parkinson’s disease. The findings, reported in the journal ‘Nature Communications’, show that calcium can influence the interaction between small membranous structures inside nerve endings, which are important for neuronal signaling in the brain, and alpha-synuclein – the protein associated with Parkinson’s disease. Dr Janin Lautenschläger, the paper’s first author, said: “This is the first time we’ve seen that calcium influences the way alpha-synuclein interacts with synaptic vesicles. We think that alpha-synuclein is almost like a calcium sensor. In the presence of calcium, it changes its structure and how it interacts with its environment, which is likely very important for its normal function.”

Jewish people with Crohn’s disease more likely to carry LRRK2 gene mutation

A scientific study has concluded that there may be a link between Parkinson’s and Crohn’s disease within the Ashkenazi Jewish community. The study’s findings, which were published in the journal ‘Science Translational Medicine’, has found that members of the population with Crohn’s disease are more likely to carry the LRRK2 mutation which is a significant cause of Parkinson’s. Lead researcher Dr Inga Peter, professor of genetics and genomic sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine, New York, US, said: “Crohn’s disease is a complex disorder with multiple genes and environmental factors involved, which disproportionately affects individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. “The presence of shared LRRK2 mutations in patients with Crohn’s disease and Parkinson’s disease provides refined insight into disease mechanisms and may have major implications for the treatment of these two seemingly unrelated diseases.”

Could caffeine in the blood help diagnose Parkinson’s?

Blood caffeine levels could be promising diagnostic biomarkers for early-stage Parkinson’s, Japanese researchers reported in the journal ‘Neurology’ earlier this month. The study found that people with Parkinson’s had lower levels of caffeine and caffeine metabolites in their blood than people without the disease, at the same consumption rate. Caffeine concentrations also were decreased in Parkinson’s patients with motor fluctuations than in those without Parkinson’s. However, patients in more severe disease stages did not have lower caffeine levels. The study’s authors, Dr David Munoz, University of Toronto, and Dr Shinsuke Fujioka, Fukuoka University, suggested that the “decrease in caffeine metabolites occurs from the earliest stages of Parkinson’s.” They added: “If a future study were to demonstrate similar decreases in caffeine in untreated patients with Parkinson’s […] the implications of the current study would take enormous importance.”